Cup dispenser with reciprocating actuator

ABSTRACT

A dispensing mechanism suitable for use in a vending machine having a unique dispensing mechanism as described. The unit is intended for use with stacks of cups or packages having an appropriate lip which can be stripped by the staggered detent.

United States Patent Lack et al. Aug. 12, 1975 CUP DISPENSER WITHRECIPROCATING 1,907,713 5/19 3 B66566 221/223 x ACTUATOR 3,133,6715/l964 Christine et al. 221/223 X 3,273,750 9/1966 Davy 221/279 UX [75]Inventors: Bryan E- C- L k; Al N n, 3,442,422 5/19 9 Neidig 221/222 xboth Banbury Engand FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1 AssignoeiGeneral Foods Corporation, White 76,643 6 1945 Norway 221 /223 Plains,NY. I 22 d: o 2 Primary Examiner-Robert Reeves 1 l 6 Jan AssistantExaminerDavid A. Scherbel PP NOJ 327,040 Attorney, Agent, or FirmHowardJ. Newby; William I J. Speranza; Bruno P. Struzzi [52] US. Cl. 221/6;221/223; 221/226 51 1m. (:1. B65g 59/10 [571 ABSTRACT [58] Field ofSearch 221/6, 222, 223, 279, 226 A dispensing mechanism suitable for usein a vending machine having a unique dispensing mechanism as de- [56]References Cited scribed. The unit is intended for use with stacks ofUNn-ED STATES PATENTS cups or packages having an appropriate lip whichcan 1,037,552 9/1912 5116a 221/6 x be smpped by the staggered detem'1,272,701 7/1918 Nias 221/223 X 1 Claim, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUBI 21975 SHEET PATENTED AUG 1 21975 w w 1 F F i m Hm I. 5 4 y 5 I M ga A A C I 2 2 5 H F FIG.2F

FIGZE FIG. 2H

FIG. 26

CUP DISPENSER WITH RECIPROCATING ACTUATOR This invention relates to adispenser mechanism and more particularly to a mechanism for dispensingindividual cups or packages from a stack thereof. Subject to the provisothat any'article to be dispensed in a mechanism according to theinvention must be provided with an appropriate lip or flange at oraround its outer periphery, the mechanism is suitable for dispensing anyarticles or packages of the appropriate size. Units embodying themechanism of this invention are particularly adapted to dispense cupsfor beverages and the invention will be described with reference to thispreferred embodiment.

A unit embodying the mechanism of this invention may be incorporated ina dispensing machine having any type of release mechanism, for example acoinoperated release mechanism, and any conventional coin-operatedmechanism may be adapted to actuate the dispenser unit.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a mechanismfor dispensing individual cups or packages from a stack thereof, whichcomprises a base plate having a delivery aperture therein, a pluralityof pinions mounted on the base plate around the aperture, a frame membermounted on the base plate for rectilinear sliding movement and having apair of racks flanking opposite sides of the said aperture which racksrotate the said pinions, each pinion carrying first and second axiallyspaced and circumferentially staggered detents, the first detentsco-operating to retain a cup or package and the second detentsco-operating to retain a cup or package.

In the mechanism according to the invention the slidable frame member isadapted to be operated by operating means attached to or integral withan outer side thereof. The operating means is preferably an extension ofthe frame member itself in the form of a handle with a grippableindentation.

In order to avoid a return movement before the full cup-releasingmovement is completed the mechanism preferably also includes anon-return pawl and ratchet mechanism attached to an outer side of theframe member.

The dispensing mechanism as described above preferably forms part of aunit which also includes a top plate mounted above the slidable framemember and having mounted thereon a support for a stack of cups orpackages, herein referred to as a cup stack support comprises anelongated rod or tubular member having a weighted disc or cap and armslidably mounted thereon. In use the discor cap rests on top of thestack of cups and serves to act as a weighted guide to ensure that thestack moves freely down the unit each time the bottom cup is released,and an extension of the arm operates a hinged indicator plate toindicate when the machine is empty.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the delivery aperture inthe base plate is of circular cross- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspectiveview of a dispensing unit embodying the mechanism of the invention,

FIGS. 2A thru 2H diagram illustrating the cup dispensing sequence,

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of a non-return mechanism,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a non-return mechanism,

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the indicator mechanism inthe loadedposition, and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the indicator mechanism in the emptyposition.

The cup dispenser unit illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a base plate 1having a circular aperture 2. Four pinions 3 are mounted through axelpins 4 on the base plate symmetrically around the peripherey of theaperture. Eachpinion carries a first detent 5 or 5 and a second detent 6or 6. The first detent is axially spaced from and circumferentiallystaggered with respect to the second detent. The respective detents 5and 5 and 6 and 6 are positioned to face inwardly or outwardly, as thecase may be, with respect to the aperture, so that they are adapted toco-operate with each other to retain a cup. This is illustrated morefully in FIGS. 2A thru 2H which shows the sequential position of thedetents, only two being shown for simplicity. The sequences illustrate afull cycle of operation, as follows:

A. Operating handle fully in, bottom cup retained on second detents 6and 6 B. Handle fully out, cup drops to and is retained by first detents5 and 5;

C. Handle in halfway position, cup about to drop; and

D. Handle again fully in, bottom cup now falls free,

next cup in position on second detents for next operation.

Returning to FIG. 1 the pinions 3 are rotated by movement of racks 7flanking opposite sides of the aperture 2 and mounted on a frame member8 to which is attached an operating handle 8. In FIG. 1 the handle isshown in the fully in position and operation of the handle moves theframe member rectilinearly over the base member. At the far (inner) endof the frame member is a non-return mechanism comprising two pivot pins9 on which are mounted rotatable pawls 10 (see FIG. 4) connected by aspring 11. The pawls act on a double-sided ratchet 12 in such a mannerthat the frame member can only complete a full movement in an outward 0rinward direction and cannot return until the movement is completed. Thispart of the mechanism also includes an aperture 13 adapted to receive alever actuated by a conventional coin-operated mechanism (not shown).

Attached to the base plate beneath the aperture is a delivery tube 14through which the cups pass after release by the dispensing mechanism.

The dispensing mechanism is included in a unit which also comprises atop plate 15 having a cup stack support comprising a tubular rod 16having a slidable member 17 to which is attached an arm 18 carrying aweighted disc 19. This disc rests in or on the top cup 20 of a stack ofcups (see FIG. 5) and ensures that the stack moves freely and straightlyeach time the bottom cup is dispensed. The arm also has an extended endwhich tips a pivoted tongue 21 to indicate when the dispensing machineis empty. The indicator mechanism is further illustrated in FIGS. 5 and6.

The dispensing mechanism according to the invention occupies less spacethan previously known cup ringmechanisms consequently allowing thedispensing machine to be either narrower for the same number ofdispensing points or to contain more dispensing points than priormachines. Also the frame member and base member, which are usually metalcastings, may be made to any size desired, simply by altering thesetting 5 of the relevant jigs, without any expensive retooling.

What we claim is:

l. A mechanism for dispensing individual cups which comprises:

a. a base plate, said base plate having a delivery aperature therein,said delivery aperature being of circular cross-section just slightlylarger than the cups to be dispensed;

b. four pinions mounted symmetrically on the base plate around theperiphery of the aperature, each of said pinions having first and secondaxially spaced and circumferentially staggered detents, the first detentcooperating to retain a cup and the second detent cooperating to retaina cup;

c. a-frame member mounted on said base plate for rectilinear slidingmovement, said frame member having a pair of racks flanking oppositesides of the aperatu're, each of said racks engaged with two of thepinions for rotation thereof during rectilinear sliding movement of theframe member;

d. means for providing rectilinear sliding movement to the frame member,said means comprising:

1. an extension of the frame member in the form of a handle with agrippable indentation; and

2. a non-return pawl and ratchet mechanism attached to an outer side ofthe frame membe e. a top plate mounted above the slidable frame member;said top plate having an indicator plate hinge mounted thereon;

f. a cup stack support mounted on said top plate, said cup stack supportcomprising:

1. a vertically disposed elongated rod;

2. an arm slidably mounted on said'elongated rod, said arm having anextension adapted to operate the hinged indicator plate; and

3. a weighted disc mounted on said arm.

1. A mechanism for dispensing individual cups which comprises: a. a Baseplate, said base plate having a delivery aperature therein, saiddelivery aperature being of circular cross-section just slightly largerthan the cups to be dispensed; b. four pinions mounted symmetrically onthe base plate around the periphery of the aperature, each of saidpinions having first and second axially spaced and circumferentiallystaggered detents, the first detent cooperating to retain a cup and thesecond detent cooperating to retain a cup; c. a frame member mounted onsaid base plate for rectilinear sliding movement, said frame memberhaving a pair of racks flanking opposite sides of the aperature, each ofsaid racks engaged with two of the pinions for rotation thereof duringrectilinear sliding movement of the frame member; d. means for providingrectilinear sliding movement to the frame member, said meanscomprising:
 1. an extension of the frame member in the form of a handlewith a grippable indentation; and
 2. a non-return pawl and ratchetmechanism attached to an outer side of the frame member; e. a top platemounted above the slidable frame member; said top plate having anindicator plate hinge mounted thereon; f. a cup stack support mounted onsaid top plate, said cup stack support comprising:
 1. a verticallydisposed elongated rod;
 2. an arm slidably mounted on said elongatedrod, said arm having an extension adapted to operate the hingedindicator plate; and
 3. a weighted disc mounted on said arm.
 2. an armslidably mounted on said elongated rod, said arm having an extensionadapted to operate the hinged indicator plate; and
 2. a non-return pawland ratchet mechanism attached to an outer side of the frame member; e.a top plate mounted above the slidable frame member; said top platehaving an indicator plate hinge mounted thereon; f. a cup stack supportmounted on said top plate, said cup stack support comprising:
 3. aweighted disc mounted on said arm.